Objective
DSD offers a range of proven research programmes for schools. These can be standalone ad hoc surveys (focus groups) or one of our benchmarking programmes looking at attitudes and perceptions of parents and prospective parents. In such a competitive environment research activity is fast becoming an essential part of the strategic planning process providing an objective overview. Research techniques include: Self-completion Surveys, Telephone Surveys, Focus Groups, and Mystery visitor Surveys.

Prospectuses
Every two years for the last 8 years DSD has run a unique survey looking at trends in prospectus production, and measuring response times of schools to prospectus enquiries. The research samples between 250 and 300 schools, looking at chosen formats, pagination, choice of paper, and the additional material sent out in the prospectus pack. The information is available to any school on request